overwhelming — choose the one that has the correct stress

Analyzing the question: You are asked to pick the option that shows the correct stress pattern (the syllable pronounced with the most force) in the word "overwhelming".

Concept: Stress is placed on a particular syllable in a word. In the verb overwhelm /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlm/, the main stress falls on the root -whelm. The suffix -ing does not change the stress of the root, so the stress stays on whelm in "overwhelming".

Step-by-step solution:

1. Break the word into syllables: o – ver – whelm – ing (4 syllables).
2. Identify the root: whelm. The prefix over- has only secondary stress, and the suffix -ing is never stressed.
3. In standard pronunciation, the word is /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/, where the primary stress is on the third syllable, whelm.
4. Check the options: • A. O-ver-whelm-ing: stress on the first syllable. This is incorrect, because the first syllable carries only secondary stress. • B. o-VER-whelm-ing: stress on the second syllable. This is incorrect, because ver is a weak syllable. • C. o-ver-WHELM-ing: stress on the third syllable. This is correct. • D. o-ver-whelm-ING: stress on the suffix. This is incorrect, because -ing is never stressed.

Exam tip: Words with prefixes like over-, under-, or out- followed by a verb root (for example overcome, understand, overwhelm) usually carry primary stress on the root verb. Also remember that suffixes like -ing, -ed, and -er do not attract stress.